Potentially leaving current employer. Possible bad reference?

Potentially leaving current employer. Possible bad reference?

I am looking to apply for a role in another organisation. My recent half year appraisial has me as "needs improvement." I don't disagree with the appraisial outcome. My performance has been due to me not particularly liking the nature of my work.

If I were to be successful and they sought references form my current employer could this work to my detriment? I am aware that they can't say anything false that would unduly hamper my chances of future employment but the fact is that my performance has been below standard.

How can I get around this? I am a good employee but I have struggled in my current role. I work in a reasonably large, national organisation. Should I just provide details of our HR department rather than details of my current boss?

You CAN give a bad reference, but it has to be factually based. e.g. I can't say "I think naththebeast was a muppet" as it's just an opinion but I could say "naththebeast was a bad employee because he was consistently late".

As said above though, most people avoid the hassle and just refuse to give a reference and the new employer reads between the lines.

Could you ask for a "To whom it may concern" reference, saying you are looking to do some charity work for example and want a general reference. Once you had this I guess they'd keep it on file and you could see what they are going to say.

I did some thing similar some years back, got my reference first, then took the company to tribual.

The only obligation on a previous employer is to confirm dates of employment and role undertook. Many have savvied up to the fact that opinion is speculative and litigious, so wont take the chance.

In larger organisations, HR undertakes references, often having never met the employee in question. References really only confirm accuracy of employment history on a CV.

I thought that may be the case. Probably worrying over nothing. Was just a bit worried that I f I were to leave there may be a bit spite from my existing manager. I will point them in the direction of HR if successful. Thanks

The only obligation on a previous employer is to confirm dates of employment and role undertook. Many have savvied up to the fact that opinion is speculative and litigious, so wont take the chance.

In larger organisations, HR undertakes references, often having never met the employee in question. References really only confirm accuracy of employment history on a CV.

I recently got a new job with a very large company, who employed an external company to do a background check including references. I was a bit worried as there was some...friction...between me and my current employers, but all they wanted to confirm was job title and dates worked.